Last updated on December 12th, 2024
Lipari Foods has reached an agreement to acquire Clive, Iowa-based Comercializadora Del Midwest, a provider of Central and South American specialty items. This opportunity will expand Lipari’s portfolio of international products, as well as their distribution footprint in the Midwest.
“We are thrilled to welcome the CDM team into our family as we develop the Latino category,” said John Pawlowski, president and COO of Lipari Foods.
“Roberto and Martha [Gomez] did an incredible job focusing on the customer and supplier relationships, while building out their program as a trusted partner. We are excited to integrate their expertise with our distribution footprint, leading to significant opportunities for all of our business partners.”
Founded in 2007, the CDM team serves more than 380 customers in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin, and has about 26 employees. CDM globally sources 1,200 items from more than 12 countries throughout Central America, South America and the Caribbean Islands.
“We knew Lipari was a trusted partner that would build upon our company values centered around people, relationships, trust and focus on the customer,” Gomez said. “We are excited to see the growth and development as our companies work together, creating new opportunities for all of our customers and suppliers.”
Claudio Zarate will continue to serve as the leader for Comercializadora Del Midwest.
Comercializadora Del Midwest was established in Burnsville, Minnesota, as a wholesaler of grocery, frozen, and dairy products to supply niche Latino communities with nostalgic products. As the Latino communities began to grow throughout the Midwest, CDM relocated to Clive to develop more efficient distribution logistics to service its customers. In 2013, CDM received the “Outstanding Immigrant Business Award” from the Immigrant Entrepreneur Summit Awards for its model performance and success in both profit and philanthropy.
Lipari Foods was founded in 1963 by Jim Lipari, who began his career delivering products from the back of his Buick station wagon. Today, Lipari Foods is an independent “perimeter of the store” distributor, delivering a range of quality bakery, dairy, deli, packaging, seafood, meat, grocery, foodservice, confectionery and convenience food and beverage products to more than 11,000 customers across 28 states.
